Q&A: A look inside the 2013 Florida Legislative Session

Q: The Florida Legislature convenes its annual session today. It is scheduled to last two months, ending on May 3. What is the purpose of this session and what impact will it have on regular citizens?

A: The Legislature has met in a regular yearly session since the late 1960s. The only measure lawmakers must pass is the annual budget bill — otherwise state government would grind to a halt on July 1, the beginning of the new fiscal year. Lawmakers will consider about 2,000 bills and resolutions, but fewer than 300 bills are likely to win final passage. The legislation has the potential to impact nearly every Floridian on issues from their right to vote to their schools to their property insurance bills to their ability to text.

Q: This is Gov. Rick Scott's third legislative session. How is his role as Florida's chief executive working with the Legislature evolving?

A: As a political novice, Scott has been on a steep learning curve since he took office in January 2011. Facing negative poll numbers and a 2014 re-election bid, Scott has markedly toned down the Tea Party rhetoric that got him elected. Scott's first two years were also impacted by dismal revenue numbers, which have started to turn around. Like all governors, Scott's actual impact on the session is relatively limited. He proposed a $74 billion budget.

He will give his annual state of the state speech today. And he holds the power to veto any measure that emerges over the next 60 days. But his agenda is largely at the mercy of the legislative leaders, who fortunately for him are like-minded conservative Republicans. Scott's biggest asks are a manufacturing tax break, a $2,500 pay raise for teachers and a $1.2 billion boost in school funding. He's likely to get some version of all three.

Q: How do you see the leadership dynamic playing out between Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, and House Speaker Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel?

A: There is a sizable generational gap between the two leaders. In fact, Gaetz, at 65, is old enough to have a 30-year-old son serving in the House under the 33-year-old speaker. Yet in contrast to some recent sessions, Weatherford and Gaetz head into the 2013 Legislature on very friendly grounds. They have announced a joint “five-point reform agenda” for the session that includes legislation aimed at ethics, campaign financing, election, higher education and public pensions. There are sure to be differences as the session proceeds, but the early signs are that the two leaders should be able to find more agreement than disagreement.

Q: Will the Legislature back the expansion of Medicaid under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act?

A: Gov. Scott surprised many observers when he announced his support for Medicaid expansion, reversing his long opposition to the federal health care legislation. However, the day before the session began, a House committee voted to recommend against expansion — a position supported by Weatherford, the House leader. The Senate hasn't taken a formal position, although senators seem open minded to the proposal.

The early House decision increases the odds against expansion, but the session has two months to unfold and things could change with continuing pressure from the hospital lobby.

Q: Give us your best guess: What will be most memorable about the 2013 session?

A: It will be a much better year money-wise. Funding should be up for public schools, universities and colleges — without the need for a tuition increase. Teachers are likely to be in line for a raise, although whether it comes in the form of a merit raise or across-the-board increase remains to be seen. Significant changes in ethics laws and campaign financing, including the possibility of lifting the current $500 contribution cap, are likely. Lawmakers will roll back some of the election law changes they made in 2011, including giving counties the option of a longer early-voting period. Pension changes may be coming for future public workers who would be moved to a 401(k)-type plan rather than the traditional pension. The biggest open question remains whether Florida will expand its Medicaid program under the Affordable Care Act.

– Lloyd Dunkelberger, H-T Capital Bureau

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